windows

[skipper681]

I know this topic has been discussed to death but I've just replaced the windows, I put the 5mm Acrylic on the inside, bad idea or not? Sealed with butyl tape and stainless bolts every 3 inches.

 

[KevO]

Obviously I don't know what boat you have and how the windows you removed were installed but personally I'd have thought that having them (overlapping the hole) on the outside would be stronger as in less likely to get 'pushed in' by a heavy sea.

 

[skipper681]

I agree and I did expect that answer, problem being that it was just easier to put them on the inside, it's a 19ft sailing boat with 2 windows each side so it won't be seeing any heavy seas. To save any jigsawing I put them on the inside. Thanks for getting back.

 

[KevO]

Your boat, your call :encouragement:

 

[Iliade]

5mm acrylic is never going to be very strong. Polycarbonate would be my material of choice, especially if any deck/rig stresses pass though the windows. As for inside fitting, it means that the plastic immediately around the bolts will be doing the retaining, so they would be much less resistant than if they were fitted outside, where the area of the flange can take the load.

But, as they are now fitted, you may wish to just figure out a way to close the apertures with floor boards or whatever should the plastic fail catastrophically and then go sailing and see how they stand up.

 

[JumbleDuck]

I agree and I did expect that answer, problem being that it was just easier to put them on the inside, it's a 19ft sailing boat with 2 windows each side so it won't be seeing any heavy seas. To save any jigsawing I put them on the inside. Thanks for getting back.

I don't think you'll have any problems ... it's probably at least as strong as a non-overlapping fitting with H section rubber. As long as the forces are well spread out (penny washers?) it should be fine.

 

[davidpbo]

How smooth was the inside of the cabin walls. ?

If it was onto glassfibre rather than gel coat or maybe flow coat I question whether the seal would be good enough with butyl tape, particularly the lower one.

 

[rob2]

Instinct suggests that outside fitting is probably twice as strong, but you're not going heavy weather sailing. I've always wondered if there were a way you could fit one inside and one outside to get double glazing?

Rob.